News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-07-14
A Dip in a Diving Bell.
BY EDWARD A. RAND.

BY EDWARD A. EAND.
''Do you suppose l could go down il
that diving bell z" asked Ralph Stanley.
His words were addressed to William
Aubray, workman with sad face but
kindly tones of voice.
81 rather think so, Ralph" he re-
piled.
''Did you say yes" really, truly 2
asked the boy, excitedly. ''Really, Mr.
Aubray p
81 think so. 1 must go down in a
moment to look at things, and you
might go with me-"
Ralph could not remain at ease, so
fascinated was he with the idea of de-
scent in that diving bell. He hummed
a tune, drummed with his fingers,
danced, and his feet only came to halt
when he was actually seated in the bell.
This magnetic object was attached to a
lighter, and only the word of command
was needed to lower the bell into the
CLASSY water.
The bell was a cast iron chest weigh
ing about half dozen tons, and sus-
pended by q block and tackle from q
frame upon the lighter. In the roof of
which very thick glass had been fitted
to let III the light. In the centre of this
roof or top was hole into which was
screwed hose for admitting supply
of fresh air. The bell bad two seats,
on one of which Ralph planted himself
very promptly. A lifting chain hung
down before him. To this stone could
be secured, and it could be readily
moved about, raised and lowered as
might be desired. When the divers
wished to work they could remove the
seats.
As William Aubray entered the div
ing-bell he remarked: ''Plenty of air
will be here, Ralph. You see it is sent
down to us through that hose overhead.
Now we will go.
There was a rattling of chains, and the
diving bell slowly descended. The water
was anxious to go the other way, but the
air was not willing.
'tOf course she won't fill it upl" said
Ralph, bit timorously.
with what, Ralph Z"
ooh, water"
ssNo, no. The men at work at that
air-pump will keep the bell supplied |
with air, and that keeps the water out"
Down, down ratified the bell, the water |
closing over the inmates.
isn't this nice, Mr.. Aubrayl"
''We who work in it think SO.
s'Why, it isn't dark! | did not know
but you would light lamp. Oh, isn't
it niece"
'Those little glass windows overhead
let in the light
''Well, supposlnS---
s'Supposing what!"
'sIf you want to do anything-go up,
or have more air, Or"
Ralph shivered rather nervOusly. The
idea that the air might be exhausted, or
that the men above might not under
stand and raise the bell, made Ralph
little uneasy.
ooh, that's all right. If ] want more
air, just strike on the bell with my
hammer, and"
"Can it be heard
Cup above? Oh, yes! A man is on
the watch for signals. He can hear.
Surprising | want them to raise me, l
rap three times. Then if want to go
over this way, or that way, north, south,
cast, west, / rap accordingly"
81 wish you would try it, Mr.. Aub
ray"
William Aubray gave one of his sad
smiles and said:
"You will have a chance to see,
Ralph"
"Well, should think this box-thing
would fill up with air and be-be-'
''Too much, you think? There is air
escaping, going up all the time in bub
bles to the surface"
''Can you see them 2"
"Oh, yes We want to get rid of the
air we have breathed.
1t was an interesting thought to Ralph
that the air escaping from his lungs
would make its way to the surface, and
there float moment as silver bubble,
and then break.
'FHullo, Mr.. Aubray! There is the
bottom
Ralph, looking down, saw patches of
white sand; rocks fringed with the
brown seaweed whose sprays gracefully,
tremuOusly waved i'll the water; starfish
clnging to the dusky hollows.
ooh, so she is Almost here ! I'll
stop here in ii moment. Now, you see
me-"
Swinging his hammer, he raped on
the iron wall twice.
''That means, Ralph, Hold on ,"
Very obediently, the bell held on.
''Thats nice, said Ralph. "Good as
having a horse that you can twitch by
the reins and he'll mind you"
fFI1l give a twitch On the reins in a
moment, and you will see how good this
iron horse is at minding."
''You wouldn't advise me to get out
side and look round z"
F'Not exactly, unless you are good at
swimming. Night hire a big halibut
and get on to his back and let him take
you round ON an excursion. 1t would
need big halibut to lug round a fat
boy like you. Now, let me see. Do
you know what / am down here for2"
"No. sir. .
''Wcll, we are going to lay wall, and
/ want to see what kind of a bottom is
here"
As he spoke, Ralphs companion in
rubber boots walked about, intently
looking down, and occasionally feeling
with his hands and making remarks:
''Sandy, / see! just as / expected !
Some rock Yes, yes Got to dig
down. Some blasting needed Yes,
yes"
'8Ir. Aubray, did a norman ever call
on you, ever come to a window and look
down"
''Wil,t is q norman z"
"Well, don't know
"Nobody else, either, / guess."
COR sea serpent =
''Nonc has ever called yet"
''Or a whale 2"
''No, sir p
t'But supposing they should put their
nose UNDER
81 should step ON it, short meter,
tell you"
''Bnt-''
s'Fhen should tap on it with ny
hammer and inquire how that felt. Oh
don't you worry |"